Islam is the second-largest religion in the United Kingdom. The 2011 census recorded around 2.7 million Muslims, mainly concentrated in London, the West Midlands, Yorkshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester. Most British Muslims trace their family origins to South Asia (Pakistan, Bangladesh, India), the Middle East or Africa, but increasing numbers were born in the UK.
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British Muslims practise the Five Pillars of Islam — faith, prayer, charity, fasting during the month of Ramadan, and (where possible) pilgrimage to Mecca. Eid al-Fitr at the end of Ramadan and Eid al-Adha during the pilgrimage season are widely celebrated. Mosques in cities such as London, Birmingham, Bradford and Leicester are visible and active community centres.
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